Midwifery and family practice.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Policy
• Maternal Health
• Family Medicine

Background:

• The 1987 Ontario Task Force report signals the impending legal practice of midwifery in Ontario and potentially across Canada.
• This development raises questions about its impact on family practitioners providing obstetrical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the recommendations of the Task Force on the Implementation of Midwifery.
• To assess whether the integration of midwifery poses a threat or offers collaboration for family physicians in obstetrics.

Main Methods:

• Review of the Task Force on the Implementation of Midwifery report.
• Analysis of potential collaborative models between midwives and family physicians.

Main Results:

• The introduction of midwifery is presented not as competition but as a positive opportunity for collaboration.
• Several models for cooperation in managing low-risk maternity care are proposed.

Conclusions:

• Midwifery integration should be viewed as a collaborative enhancement to maternity care services.
• Cooperative strategies can be developed to support both family physicians and midwives in providing optimal low-risk obstetrical care.